Category Archives: Entertainment

Season TWO IS HERE!!!! It premieres TONIGHT just after midnight and I can’t wait! I found season one hilarious although I could have definitely done with less Jon Hamm. I don’t get the Jon Hamm thing. WHY DO PEOPLE LIKE JON HAMM??? WHY IS HE EVERYWHERE?????

Colin Firth, I get. Jon Hamm…..not at all.

Season two of the Emmy-nominated series picks up shortly after season 1 and finds Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) looking for a new job, Titus (Tituss Burgess) forced to face his past with the appearance of his ex-wife and Jacqueline (Jane Krakowski) rediscovering her roots, while landlady Lillian (Carol Kane) finds a surprising romance.

The series was created by Tina Fey (30 Rock) and Robert Carlock (30 Rock), who serve as executive producers with Jeff Richmond (30 Rock) and David Miner (30 Rock, Brooklyn Nine-Nine). Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a production of Universal Television, Little Stranger Inc., 3 Arts Entertainment and Bevel Gears for Netflix.

Normally, I would bingewatch a Netflix show over a weekend but my kids LOVED the first season so I promised them that we would watch it together, so it’s anyone’s guess how long it will take me to see all 13 episodes. Have you seen the official trailer for season two yet? Check it out below!

The Penguin Drop Caps Series is a GORGEOUS series of 26 special edition classics in hardcover, that would make any booklover weak in the knees. Their covers feature an illustrated letter of the alphabet by type designer Jessica Hische, and create a lovely rainbow when displayed as a set.

I can’t believe it took me this long to discover these – they are so pretty and a great way to discover some reads you may not have considered otherwise. Penguin has so many great collections but this just might be my new favourite!

I bought myself the first five with a gift card I received for Valentine’s Day and ordered G, H, I, P, and X online which I know seems random but they’re the hardest to find evidently, so I grabbed them when I could. I’m still waiting for those to arrive, and dreaming of the other 16 I still need to get.

Are you in love with the series too? Have some of the books and need a few more to complete the set or want to buy the entire thing in one shot?? I’ve discovered an amazing online shop that will allow you to do just that. In fact if you love gorgeous books, you must check them out. JUNIPER BOOKS is based in Boulder, Colorado but they will ship internationally. If you’re a booklover, do yourself a favour and check out their book shop. Not only will you see so many of the beloved classics and series that we love to collect, but also some incredibly unique and beautiful custom book sets as well. Prepare to fall in love. Seriously.

I read every single day and more often than not, you’ll find me at home reading a good book. I am a party animal.

The last year or so, I read most of my books as ebooks, and read very few books in hand. I think many of us had an ebook moment. For me, that moment has mostly past. I am back to reading (and buying) actual books and I love it.

I’ve also discovered the book community on Instagram (bookstagrammers) recently, and am mildly obsessed. Honestly, I have no idea how it works or how one gets thousands of followers and likes, but that’s not really why I’m trying it out. I love it because I’ve discovered so many great books and collections by following the #bookstagram hashtag. One of these collections is the PENGUIN ENGLISH LIBRARY.

The Penguin English Library is a collection of 100 beloved classics, with book covers designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith. They are lovely and in paperback format, so they are very affordable. And their spines are dreamy, as you can see above, especially when displayed as a collection.

Aren’t they dreamy?? Check out 60 of the 100 below.

You can find these beauties in stores and online, although you might have to get resourceful if you’re after the entire set. I sadly don’t have any of these just yet, but they’re on the official husband-buy-me-these list for when he needs gift ideas (which is always). I’m partial to Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters so I’m starting with those.

Do you own any of these Penguin English Library editions?? Check out the full list below:

I remember when I first discovered an Oliver Jeffers book was when I was in the bookstore with my then toddler son looking for something funny for his bedtime story that night. I just happened to find The Incredible Book Eating Boy on the shelf, and immediately adored the illustrations. And then I read it and fell in love with it’s story and just how funny it was. It became one of our absolute favourite family reads and led to our love of all things Oliver Jeffers. If you haven’t yet read anything written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, you are missing out. They’re creative, hilarious and will amuse your kids, regardless of their age.

Today is the release date of Oliver Jeffers’ newest book called The Hueys in What’s The Opposite? This is his latest book in The Hueys series, which explores the funny world of opposites. The Hueys are a quirky little bunch that will delight your children. The book is available in hardcover picture book and in board book formats today as well, so even your littlest one can enjoy this delightful book.

I’d love to share my love for Oliver Jeffers’ books with a giveaway today. This prize will include:

The Hueys in WHAT’S THE OPPOSITE? (hardcover picture book)

The Hueys in WHAT’S THE OPPOSITE (board book)

The Hueys in THE NEW SWEATER (board book)

The Hueys in IT WASN’T ME (board book)

The Hueys in NONE THE NUMBER (board book)

This giveaway is open to Canadian AND U.S residents and will run until January 21, 2016.

Do you have little kids who desperately want to stay up until midnight on New Year’s Eve to ring in the New Year, whereas you’re thinking, “NOPE?” Thanks to Netflix, you can trick them into thinking it’s midnight, at anytime you like tonight!

Netflix is launching six on-demand countdown specials that parents can use to ring in the new year anytime! They can choose when it’s time to say goodnight and the kids choose how to celebrate with their favourite characters including: Puffin Rock, Care Bears & Cousins, Inspector Gadget, King Julien, and favorites from DreamWorks Animation like Mr. Peabody and Sherman and Project Mc2.

Netflix surveyed parents in the US, UK, France, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Italy, Spain, and Mexico recently and found that 55% would love to be able to ring in the New Year with their kids early, using a special countdown. With 95% of Canadian parents spending this special night with their kids, Netflix’s early countdown options are a brilliant idea. I wish I had had this option when my kids were younger. Sadly, they’re too old to trick at this point so I am REALLY looking forward to dealing with exhausted tweens tonight.

Their poll also found these interesting stats about Canadian families and how they’ll be celebrating this New Year’s Eve:

More than a third of Canadian parents would use a special New Year’s Eve countdown as a way to get their kids to bed early (34 per cent)

51 per cent of parents feel that having an on-demand New Year’s Eve countdown will allow them to celebrate as a family

Over 70 per cent of parents would start their special countdown before 11 p.m., with one in five parents choosing 9 p.m. as the ideal time to ring in those famous 10 seconds (20 per cent)

65 per cent of parents plan to spend time with their significant other after putting their kids to bed before midnight

To ring in the New Year, I’d love to give away a little Netflix love to one lucky winner. Enter below to win a 6-month membership to Netflix Canada!!! This is open to Canadian residents only and will run until January 7, 2016!! GOOD LUCK and a HAPPY and HEALTHY NEW YEAR to you and yours!!

Christmas is around the corner and if you’re like me, you’re not even close to done with shopping for everyone on your list. I see scrambling for last minute gifts two days before Christmas in my future.

Do you have any little ones on your list? Mattel’s annual #ListToppers Toy List features 12 great toys this year, including:

In my house, my nine-year-old loves the Ever After High line and the dolls featured in this year’s #ListToppers were no exception. The Way Too Wonderful dolls include Kitty Cheshire, Madeline Hatter, Apple White and Lizzie Hearts. Their outfits are fantastic and come with pocket watches that open, fun accessories and doll stands. These will be a hit under the tree this year.

Would you like one? I’m giving away an Ever After High Way Too Wonderland Doll just in time for Christmas. You get to pick your favourite from the four dolls shown above as well. Being so close to Christmas, I’d love to get this to you in time (although I can’t guarantee it), so this will be a quick giveaway, ending THIS FRIDAY at midnight!! Enter below – it is open to Canadian residents only! GOOD LUCK!

I’m going to be sharing my Holiday Gift Ideas all this week for those late shoppers like me who are still looking for great gift ideas. None of my lists are sponsored in any way – you’ll be seeing products I actually like, endorse, WANT and not because I’m paid or asked to do so.

First up, some fantastic children’s picture books for your little (and big) book lovers. These are all fun and special in their own way. I think they would make wonderful gifts and they’re a great way to bring joy without a huge investment. Books make the BEST gifts!!

This might just be the absolute coolest, most ingenious picture book I’ve seen in a very long time.

I must warn you however, because ROBO-SAUCE by Adam Rubin, is actually two books in one. This awesome picture book turns into a ROBO-BOOK! Seriously. My kids and I were so impressed by how unique this picture book is. The illustrations by Daniel Salmieri are perfectly matched with this delightful story of how a boy who discovers how to turn himself into a robot.

Flash! Bang! Boom! You need to gift this cool book to your favourite little people this holiday season. I promise you they will love the twist at the end!! I shared it with a girlfriend at our local bookstore, and she immediately bought it for her boys.

Want to win a copy? Penguin Kids is giving away some of the best picture books for their 12 Days of Picture Books giveaway promotion, several of which I will be highlighting on my blog. To enter to win one of SIX copies of ROBO-SAUCE, head on over to the Penguin Kids Facebook Page TODAY and TOMORROW!! This particular giveaway will end 11:59 PM EST on 12/10/15. GOOD LUCK!

Mitford at the Fashion Zoo is written and illustrated by the incredibly talented and creative artist Donald Robertson. If you’re not following him on Instagram, you are missing out. I refer to him as the Canadian Warhol – the man has talent!

This lovely picture book is the story of Mitford the Giraffe who desperately wants to work for the fashion magazine Cover. If you know anything about fashion or fashion designers, you will delight in how creative this book is. You’ll encounter the talented Zap Possum, Shark Jacobs, and Mikael Boars just to name a few. The real star of this picture book is the illustrations – they are as Rachel Zoe would say, “Bananas.” Truly incredible.

Mitford at the Fashion Zoo is a fun story that kids will love as much as any adult. This is a winner under the tree this year for sure!

Want to win a copy? Penguin Kids is giving away some of the best picture books for their 12 Days of Picture Books giveaway promotion, several of which I will be highlighting on my blog. To enter to win one of FIVE copies of Mitford at the Fashion Zoo, head on over to the Penguin Kids Facebook Page TODAY!! This particular giveaway will end 11:59 PM EST on 12/09/15. GOOD LUCK!

Books are the absolute BEST gift to give (and receive) this time of year. Or anytime of year quite frankly. A gorgeous picture book is a perfect way to show a little person in your life that you adore them. Why not gift them a book that will make them smile like Pom Pom Panda Gets the Grumps by Sophy Henn.

Look at that grumpy face!

This is a story about a little panda named Pom Pom who wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, and is just a total grump. This is me, Monday to Friday – although I do tend to perk up on the weekends. This adorable tale follows Pom Pom on his grumpy day where nothing seems to go right, all the way until he gets to school. I wonder how his friends will feel about his grumpy attitude?

Pom Pom Panda is a sweet picture book that any little person would enjoy. The illustrations are SOOOO cute – just love them.

That is a face to love.

Would you like to win a copy for yourself?? For the next twelve days, Penguin Kids is giving away some of the best picture books, several of which I will be highlighting on my blog. To enter to win one of TWO copies of Pom Pom Panda Gets the Grumps, head on over to the Penguin Kids Facebook Page TODAY!! This particular giveaway will end 11:59 PM EST on 12/04/15. GOOD LUCK!